I am an American, my husband a native of Skane, and we have a summer house in Vitemolla. This summer was my 40th year anniversary in Vitemolla. I’m writing in English for the sake of clarity and wish to ask about a possible sighting of a wolverine, or a jarv.
In late May, about 5:30 am, I was eating breakfast and saw an animal climb up the garden stone wall. My first thought was ”THAT is a large cat. I looked up, noticed it was too big and wondered if it was adog? It was moving quickly, easily trotting on the stone wall, and turned the corner and proceeded to trot the full length of my back garden-still on the wall, easily balancing on the uneven cobbled stones.
When I first saw the animal fully, I thought it was some sort of a dog. By the time it turned the corner and trotted alongside my garden I got a full, unobstructed view of it for approx. 6-8 seconds. I tried to catch
it with my phone camera but it was moving too fast and I didn’t want to take my eyes off of it. It climbed over my neighbor’s wall with no trouble and it was then out of sight.
I am originally from central Wisconsin and knew of wolverines but had never seen one. I’m 59, I know what many animals look like but this was an animal I could not quite identify which made me think it could be a wolverine. I looked up the animal and it had every identifying feature of a wolverine. The easy walking gait, the size, coloration, the cream colored chest bib, bushy tail, shape of snout and ease of climbing the stones/moving easily over the uneven stones.–not a bit of difficulty. The animal’s gait struck me as very different to a dog’s.
My first concern was to tell my neighbors as they have visiting small children and pets. Understandably every one was a bit skeptical in Vitemolla. The asked if I could have seen a ”mordhund”, an otter, and other animals. I was not familiar with a mordhund so read about them–and I can say without doubt–I did not see a mordhund.
Our house is only 80 meters from the central harbour of Vitemolla. The grassy hills normally are full of rabbits. Given the changes brought on by global warming and habitat loss, and the fact that Skane may have abundant small prey, could it be possible I saw a wolverine? Yes, I understand they inhabit wilderness but they have a vast range.
I have since returned to California but now my husband is at the house. Last week Jarl found a half eaten adult swan and nearby a paw print. I have attached the photo of this paw print.
A wolverine that far south is highly unlikely. The species occurs in the northernmost two thirds of Sweden, and has its largest populations in the western parts of northernmost Sweden, i.e. in the mountains. Even up there, it is a difficult animal to spot. Some, but far fewer, wolverines also inhabit lower altitude, forested, areas. But again, in the northern parts of the country.
I think that you may have seen a pine marten (Martes mattes). It is not nearly as large and muscular as a wolverine, but still a fairly large animal. It has a more slender build, reminiscing slightly of a cat. Otherwise it fits your description with a brushy tail and creamy yellow breast bib. It is completely harmless, and typically very shy. The latter is a description that also fits the wolverine, unless you are a moose or a reindeer!
Hope this helps.
– Andreas Nord
